Eyebrow Lamination Is the New Treatment That Guarantees Your Best Brows Yet
If, like me, you have spent the last five years or so grooming your brows to within an inch of their lives in a bid to form a Delevingne-esque power brow, I’ve got some news for you. There is no doubt that bold brows are still considered one of the most enviable beauty assets, but there’s a new, less-demanding brow on the block. Equally as full and ever as big, the feathered brow is set to make serious waves this year—it’s softer, less structured and a whole lot wilder.
But that’s not to say that the feathered brow doesn’t require some TLC. Granted, you may not have to endure the painstaking plucking, tinting, pencilling or shaping that the it brow of yesteryear demanded, but some steps have to be taken in order to achieve feathered perfection. Forget microblading, brow lamination is the new brow treatment that’s set to revolutionise the way that we tend to our brows.
That’s right, the feathered brow trend has paved the way for a brand-new brow treatment that promises to give you your fluffiest brows yet—and it seems as though everyone wants in. In fact, brow lamination has surged so high in popularity that it claims the title of one of Google’s most searched for beauty terms last year. But don’t worry, if you’re a little lost on what this whole brow lamination thing is set to achieve, you’re not alone. I totally was too when I first caught wind of it.
Over the last few years, I’ve dedicated a lot of time and money to my brow game, and now it seems it was all too little, too late. However, as soon as I got over the initial shock (and total denial) that it was finally time to rethink my regimen, I began to come to terms with what the future would look like for my precious brows should I embrace this new trend.
First of all, it’s worth noting that feathered brows might take a little getting to used to, as brow lamination works to redirect the hairs for a brushed-up finish, but the positives of jumping on board the bandwagon can’t be ignored. The need for daily at-home styling is more or less diminished, it works out a lot cheaper, and a lot less painful than microblading and, on top of all of that, the trend actually lends itself to imperfection and the odd unplucked straggler. Sound like something you might be interested in? Before you chuck out your tweezers, it’s worth knowing exactly what brow lamination is and whether it’s the treatment for you.
What Is Brow Lamination?
It’s important to note that brow lamination is a semi-permanent salon treatment and therefore should be carefully researched before you book yourself in for an appoint. Jaimineey Patel, head of training at Blink Brow Bar, explains: "Brow lamination is a treatment designed to redirect your brow hairs so that you get the most fullness out of your natural growth.”
That’s right—it’s essentially an eyelash perm for your eyebrows, and, unlike many other brow treatments, it doesn’t require a needle. Instead, lamination relies on non-invasive chemical solutions to set brow strands into place for a prolonged period of time. "Depending on the rate your natural brow hairs grow, the result will last for up to six to eight weeks,” explains Jaimineey.
What Are the Benefits?
If you like the just-brushed brow look, then brow lamination is absolutely something you should look into. Equally, if you’re bored of brushing your brows through every single morning to make them look fuller, listen up. "Brow lamination will help straighten and tame unruly hairs and achieve a fuller brow shape. It’s the perfect treatment for anyone who has unruly brow hairs or who generally wants that brushed-up, groomed look,” says Jaimineey.
Plus, lamination actually helps tame the brows in a way that helps fill in unwanted gaps and makes brows appear thicker and fuller as a result. Jaimineey reveals, "Although the treatment is suitable for everyone and all hair types, customers with unruly or sparse brows will definitely see the biggest difference.”
Who Should Steer Clear of Lamination?
Just like all beauty treatments, brow lamination won’t serve everyone in the same way. Sure, it’s not likely to cause any long-term harm (although a 48-hour patch test should always be carried out before the treatment to ensure the skin isn’t sensitive to any of the solutions), but that’s not to say brow lamination is a total crowd-pleaser.
As Jaimineey explains, "The treatment alters the texture of the brow to give the desired brushed-up glossy look, so those who are happy with the current direction and texture of their brow hairs should probably avoid the treatment.”
What's Next?
If brow lamination sounds like something you might like to consider, before you enquire about an appointment, first think about what sort of finish you want from your lamination and how severe you want the feathering. However, if you’re sure about what you want, getting your brows laminated is as simple as calling up your local salon and booking in. As the treatment grows more and more popular, the number of salons that offer brow lamination is on the rise. Typically, the treatment itself takes around one hour and costs roughly £40 to £60, depending upon the salon.
Still not sure if brow lamination is for you? Before you commit, I recommend testing the waters and giving your brows that feathered, bushy look with the help of a fixing gel.
Keeping scrolling for the best brow gels to help achieve a feathered brow.
If you’re looking to add some tint to your brows, this gel creates definition and volume while leaving behind a natural-looking looking colour.
It’s expensive, I know, but it’s also regarded as one of the very best brow gels out there thanks to its precise brush and wand.
If it’s a long-lasting finish you’re after, this stuff really does stick around all day.
With extra-long bristles on one side of the brush, this wand really clings onto strands to create serious lift and volume.
Formulated with nourishing vitamin E and castor oil, this stuff keeps brows healthy and strong as it works.
The unique shape of this brush not only allows for more control, but it also means no brow hair goes left untouched.
The tiny nature of this tube might require a slightly more experienced brow gel user, but once you’ve nailed the application, it’s a real winner.
Good things come in small packages, right? It’s certainly the case with this creamy brow gel.
Besides the fact it’s wonderfully affordable, this particular gel gets extra brownie points for its easy-to-use angled wand.
Basic but brilliant, this gel tames brows without leaving them stiff or crispy.
This clever formula promises to nourish strands and promote brow hair growth.
Perhaps better known for its incredible mascaras, this protein-enriched brow gel shows that Eyeko can do brows just as well.
A fan favourite, Benefit’s brow offering is crowded with best sellers, and Gimme Brow is no exception. It’s possibly one of my most-used products of all time.
Deviating from the usual brow gel brush style, this one is super thin and a little longer, meaning you can really get at the root to create more volume.
Next up, 13 under-eye concealers that don’t crease or settle into lines.
Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing ’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, includingBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous. Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics. While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best. When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.
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